Notes for Thomas F. Kennedy
Thomas possibly spent a short time in Providence, Rhode Island before coming to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1847. Thomas built a home in what is now downtown St. Paul at the corners of Kellogg (3rd Street) and Jackson Street. This location is where the Federal Building was in the late 1990s, and where the Old Merchant buiding was before the Federal Building was constructed. He might have had a farm in 1854 in Scott County 7 miles from Shakopee. The source said at the farm "Indians begged for food".
From "My Family History" (Unknown family author)
In the year of 1850, among the Irish immigrants from Kilkenny to America, where Thomas F. Kennedy, Mary, Elizabeth, and Julia Woods. For a short time they lived in Providence, Rhode Island where Elizabeth and Julia entered the Sacred Heart Convent, becoming nuns. Mary and Thomas were married in 1851 and joined the caravan of home-seekers. They traveled by covered wagon to the city of St. Paul. On the corner of Third and Jackson Streets, Thomas Kennedy built a log cabin. In the year of 1853, their first child was born and christened, "John Daniel Kennedy". Thomas, after considering whether he would go into business in St. Paul or settle on a homestad, finally decided to move to Scott County. In 1854 they settled on a farm about 7 miles from Shakopee, Minnesota. These early pioneers suffered many hardships from the cold winters and they were in constant fear of the Indians. Sometimes the Indians were friendly, but they were always viewed with suspicion. They freqently came up to the homes of the settlers and begged for bread, flour and other foods. In 1861, when the Civil War broke out, Thomas Kennedy joined the Union Army. Shortly after the war was over, the Indians became very troublesome, massacuring and setting fire to the homes of the settlers. Thomas Kennedy was among those commissioned to convey the settlers to Fort Snelling. In the year of 1882, Thomas Kennedy and his family moved to Saint Paul where he lived up to the time of his death.
Three Civil War Soldier Databases list information about Thomas F. Kennedy:
"Civil War Muster Rolls"
Kennady, Thomas F. Company A, Unit 4th MN Inf., Rank Induction Private, Discharge F, Box #000546, EXCT #0005, Record #00001568
"American Civil War Research Database, Soldiers"
Thomas F. Kennedy, MN, Enlist 29 Aug. 1864, Private, Enlist Age 39, Army Union.
"Minnesota Civil War Soldiers"
Thomas F. Kennedy, Private, Age 39, Induction Date 29, Aug 1864, Discharge Date 12 Jun 1865, Unit Number Fourth, Unit Name Ireland. MN Discharge Per Order.
Other Civil War Soldier Records on Thomas F. Kennedy:
Declaration for Invalid Pension (from photocopied records from the National Archives Veterans Records)
Soldier's Application #86683
Name: Thomas F. Kennedy
Co. A 4 Regt. Min Inft
Address 682 Armstrong St. Paul Min
U.S. Pension Office Seal dated Jul 15, 1890
Filed by John H. Mullen, Adjutant General Minnesota
St. Paul, Minnesota
On July 12, 1890
"State of Minnesota, County of Ramsey: On this 11th day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety personally appeared before me, a notary public within and for the county and State aforsaid, Thomas F. Kennedy aged 65 years, a resident of the city of St. Paul, county of Ramsey, State of Minnesota who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Thomas F. Kennedy who was enrolled on the 29th day of Aug 1864 in Co. A 4th Regt Min Inft in the war of the rebellion and served at least ninety days, and was honorably dischared at Louisville, KY on the 12th day of Jun 1865. That he is unable to earn a support by reason of Rhumatism, varicose veins, dizziness, and unable to do any kind of work. That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief permanent. That he has not applied for pension. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of bing placed on the pension rolls of the United STates under the provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890. He hereby appoints John H. Mullen, Adjutant General of Minnesota, his true and lawful attorney to prosecute said claim. That his Post-Office address is 682 Armstrong ave St. Paul, County of Ramsey, State of Minnesota.
Signature of Claimant: Thomas F. Kennedy
Attest: Franz J. Pahl and John B. Maas
Also personally appeared Franz J. Pahl, residing at St. Paul and John B. Maas residing at St. Paul, persons whom I certifiy to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him for 7 years and 6 years respectively, that he is the indentical person he represents himself to be; and they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Signature of Witnesses: Franz J. Pahl and John B. Maas
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11 day of July A.D. 1890 and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declarations, etc., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before sweearing, including the words erased, and the words added, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. (hard to read name but looks like....) B J Huemason, Notary Public."
Records for a Thomas Kennedy in land grants of Minnesota online, posted on Rootsweb.com:
Name: THOMAS Kennedy
Date: 01 Jan 1859
Location: MN, Goodhue County
Document #: 1956
Serial #: MN1110__.275
Sale Type: CASH ENTRY SALE
Acres: 40.0000
Meridian or Watershed: 5TH
Parcel: Township 113 N, Range 15 W, Section 28
Name: THOMMAS Kennedy
Date: 15 Oct 1855
Location: MN, Houston County
Document #: 930
Serial #: MN2290__.308
Sale Type: CASH ENTRY SALE
Acres: 160.0000
Meridian or Watershed: 5TH
Parcel: Township 102 N, Range 5 W, Section 5
Clipping from an unknown newspaper:
"Widow Takes the Estate. Will of Thomas Kennedy Filed for Probate. The will of Thomas Kennedy, recently deceased, and an old resident of St. Paul, was filed for probate today. The bulk of the property is real estate, which he gives to his wife. Upon her death all property is to be sold, and the proceeds distributed, share and share alike among the children. He gives $5 to a son, John D. Kennedy, and a like amount to a grandchild, Cora. Thomas T. Kennedy is named as executor."
In the LDS records on the www.FamilySearch.org website, the following record is posted. This may or may not be a match for this Thomas Kennedy:
Thos. Kennedy
Christened 10 Dec 1824
Currow, Roman Catholic, Kerry, Ireland
Father: Corn. Kennedy (Cornelius?)
Mother: Ellen Fitzgerald
Batch #: C700871
The 1900 Census of St. Paul, Ramsey County, MN lists Thomas F. and Mary Kennedy under Volume 46, ED 103, Sheet 8, Line 86. It mentions that Thomas' and Mary's parents were all born in Ireland and that he immigrated to America in 1847. They could both read, write, and speak English. He owned a home.
The 1870 Census of Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota, Pg. 17, Roll 10, Line 1 lists the following:
Thomas Kennedy age 48, wife Mary age 44, children John D. age 17, Mary E. age 15, Heritha? age 9,Thomas age 11, Theresa age 7, Julie? age 5. Thomas owned $1000 of real estate and $200 of personal estate.
The 1860 Agricultural Census of Glendale, Scott County, MN lists Thomas Kennedy with 12 acres of improved land, 148 acres of unimproved land, $1500 cash value of farm, $25 value of farming implements and Machinery, 1 Milch Cow, 2 working oxen, 3 other cattle, 10 swine, $145 value of livestock, 45 bushels of wheat, 50 bushels of indian corn, 200 bushels of irish potatoes, 75 pounds of butter, 10 tons of hay, and $50 value of animals slaughtered.
According to the baptismal record of a Daniel Kennedy listed in the Church of St. Mark's, Shakopee, MN Baptismal Register 1857-1992, pg. 47, 1858: Thomas Kennedy was a sponsor for Daniel who was the son of John Kennedy and Margaret McLughlin. Could John be Thomas' brother?
Research of Kathy Colbert (Summer 2000):
Thomas F. Kennedy bought land in Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul, Ramsey Co., MN on September 16, 1886 for $50. It was an 8 grave lot in Section 24, Block 1, Lot 10 with a monument. Two of the people who are buried in this lot are Thomas T. Kennedy, age 80 at time of death, buried 22 Feb 1943, tombstone inscription: 1862-1943; Elizabeth Kennedy, age 77 at time of death, buried 4 Dec 1951, tombstone inscription: 1870-1951. It is believed these are two of Thomas F. and Mary Kennedy's children.
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